Jackies go on a field trip.....We can be cultural!

Today was an unusual day for us! We actually got up early (7am) and did something cultural....Shock, horror and amazement!
A lady I tutor invited us to go to a Taoist temple, so off we went with Harriet, her husband Jimmy and her parents to a temple on a mountain. It was a perfect morning, the weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm. The service started at 9am and involved quite a bit of chanting and then offerings to the gods. The whole temple was filled with burning incense and despite the fact we had no idea what was being said or done it was very relaxing and peaceful. We were slightly confused by all the burping that seemed be going on by certain people but, Harriet told us afterwards that the people were special mediums with the gods and that the burping was them releasing the bad chi. Apparently, as mediums, they absorb the bad chi around the room and then the burping is them releasing it again. We sat in on the ceremony for about an hour, crossed-legged on the floor with little low bamboo seats. The mediums deliver the messages from the gods via a dragon stick which, is a very heavy wooden tool that spells out the messages. It was a great day, something I'm sure we will never see again. We feel very lucky to have been invited. After the service we sat around drinking tea with some of the people at the temple. Then at about 12.30pm we all had lunch together. We tried some local food, something we haven't been good at since we arrived. It was delicious and all veggie! We have included some of the pictures we took, including the view of Taipei. Thanks again to Harriet, Jimmy, Harriets parents and all the lovely, kind and welcoming people we met today.

The Ladies!

Here is all of us "Jackies' on Christmas Eve....

Tanya, Victoria, Amy, Carolyn & Suzy! The women in Alex's life - lucky man!!!!!

More photo's.......

Here is our new roomie Alex with his girlfriend Carolyn:

The Festive Season in Taipei!

Happy New Year!

Well its been a busy time here in the 'Jackie' household. We have been lucky enough to have a few visitors during Christmas & New Year. It was so lovely to meet Suzy (Miss LL sister) who came for Christmas. Then for NYE our fabulous friends Jeremy and Shawn from Korea popped over. We had a great couple of weeks, despite the fact that we had NO extra time off. We made the most of it all though and have put together some of our favourite photo's. We had a great party here at apartment for Christmas Eve, thanks to everyone who came and made it such a great night! Somewhere in the group shot you will find our new roomie, Alex and his lovely girlfriend Carolyn. We spent NYE countdown at Taipei 101 watching the fireworks with about a million other people (no kidding!). Unfortunately that was the end of my evening due to falling off the curb whilst trying to escape the masses and spraining my ankle- typical 'Jackie' style! But the others partied the night away at Luxy and The source and then we all continued the celebrations back at our place, with me and my damaged ankle bandaged up! Hats off to Jeremy who made it to the airport that afternoon and flew back to korea! I don't know how you made it?

Anyway, so thats the news our end.....to all our lovely family and friends across the world, Happy New Year, hope 2006 is a great one!

More updates soon......3 weeks till Boracay!!!!

Love

V x

Cindi & Mrs C, just wanted to let you know how much we love you and are thinking of you at this sad time. Sheena will be greatly missed xx